Over Here, Over There:
America Enters the Great War
April 8, 2017
Norfolk, VA
Presented by the MacArthur Memorial
in partnership with the Hampton Roads Naval Museum
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES ENTERING WORLD WAR I
2017 marks the centennial of U.S. entry in World War I. Although President Woodrow
Wilson was re-elected under the popular campaign slogan “He Kept Us Out of War,” a
number of cascading events ultimately turned him into a wartime president. On April 6,
1917 the U.S. declared war on Germany. Days later, Congress also voted to declare war
on Germany’s ally Austria-Hungary. Abroad, the steady arrival of U.S. troops and materiel
provided aide to the Allies at a critical moment in the war. The impact of U.S. involvement
in the war was not limited to events abroad however. The war would also have a
profound effect on the Homefront – where issues of race, gender, technology, mass
media and national identity roiled beneath popular support for the war.
THE EVENT
To mark the centennial of U.S. involvement in World War I, the MacArthur Memorial and
the Hampton Roads Naval Museum will host a one-day symposium that will culminate in
the grand opening of the MacArthur Memorial’s new “Over Here, Over There” Special
Exhibit. The Symposium will highlight the year 1917 – specifically the creation of the
Norfolk Naval Base as well as the embarkation, arrival, and actions of U.S. troops in
France.
SPONSORS
The World War I Centennial Symposium is FREE due to the support of these generous
partners:
MacArthur Memorial
Hampton Roads Naval Historical Foundation
Hampton Roads Naval Museum
City of Norfolk
General Douglas MacArthur Foundation
GENERAL INFORMATION:
WHEN:
Saturday, April 8, 2017. Doors open at 8:00 AM. Opening
remarks begin at 9:00am. Event concludes at 2:30 PM.
WHERE:
MacArthur Memorial Visitors Center
198 Bank Street, Norfolk, VA 23510
COST:
FREE, but registration is required.
Register: https://goo.gl/fW2emj
PARKING: The MacArthur Center South Parking Deck is across from the
MacArthur Memorial on City Hall Avenue. The entrance to
this garage is at the intersection of Bank Street and City Hall
Avenue. See MacArthur Center parking information for
current rates: https://www.shopmacarthur.com/parking.
LUNCH:
On your own; many restaurants are within walking distance.
CONTACT: [email protected] or 757.441.2965
SYMPOSIUM SPEAKERS
Alexander “Al” Barnes
“Al” Barnes is the command historian for the Virginia National Guard. He is
the author of In a Strange Land; The American Occupation of Germany 19181923, Let’s Go! The History of 29th Infantry Division, and To Hell with the
Kaiser, America Prepares for War 1916-1918. He will discuss the
mobilization, training and embarkation of U.S. troops in 1917.
Joe Judge
Joseph serves as the curator of the Hampton Roads Naval Museum.
Previously, Mr. Judge was curator of the MacArthur Memorial in Norfolk.
In 2000 he also became responsible for the interpretation of USS
Wisconsin. The Wisconsin was subsequently donated to the city of Norfolk
in 2009. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1979 and
received a master's degree from the University of Virginia in 1981.
Dr. David Kohnen
Dr. Kohnen is the Chair, Maritime History Department and interim Executive Museum
Director at the U.S. Naval War College. As a maritime historian, he concentrates on
naval strategy, operations, and organizational group dynamics. He is the author
of 21st Century Knox: Influence, Sea Power, and History for the Modern Era and
Commanders Winn and Knowles: Winning the U-Boat War with Intelligence
(Enigma Press, 1999).
James Zobel
James Zobel is the Archivist of the MacArthur Memorial and an expert on
the life of General Douglas MacArthur. Zobel is the author of MacArthur:
The Supreme Commander at War in the Pacific and is working on a history
of Douglas MacArthur in World War I. At the symposium, he will discuss
MacArthur’s experiences in World War I and as well as the contributions of
American forces on the Western Front.